Sweet sensation

One of the fastest growing donut and coffee chains in Southeast Asia is now baking and brewing in Manila.

Contemporain Foods Inc. (CFI) recently launched J.CO Donuts & Coffee at SM Megamall. The donut company, in just seven years, has grown to 100 outlets across various cities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China and now in the Philippines.

J.CO founder and owner Johnny Andrean, a notable hairstylist and owner of the BreadTalk franchise in Indonesia, said: “I find the Philippine market very interesting. BreadTalk is grab and go. We wanted to have something that people can sit, chat, eat and drink coffee in.”

The donut brand is known for its quirky flavors, carrying variants such as Al Capone, Blueberry More and Heaven Berry, to name a few. The names are reminiscent of the biggest stars in Hollywood, which was the reason for a star-studded red carpet during the launch. Spotted at the launch were Luis Manzano, Karylle, Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez, Sam YG, Tony Toni and Slick Rick of Boys Night Out, and Paolo Trillo, who was there to support his brother Carlo and his wife Rissa. CFI chairman Carlos Chan and president Oszen Chan both graced the event.

J.CO gave out three awards that night: the Best Dressed Award, the Best Red Carpet Pose and the J.CO Lover Award, which was based on the stolen photographs of the guests’ candid reactions as they got into the J.CO store. Everyone also went home with a bag of donuts that day!

With its wide array of flavors, drinks and frozen yogurt, this brand goes beyond just being a common confectionery. After opening its flagship store in SM Megamall, J.CO is soon to open in Mall of Asia, Greenbelt and TriNoma.

From Chile with pride

It was a night of fine wine, glorious food and warm friendship.

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila and the Philippine Wine Merchant offered an intimate wine dinner showcasing Montes’ exceptional New World wines from Chile.

Held at The Fireplace, guests were able to learn more from wine master Eduardo Stark, who presented a tasting of Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Alpha Chardonnay and Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila’s GM Richard Simmons and F&B director Ranjeet Rajebhosale welcomed guests, including Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga.

A luxurious five-course dinner menu prepared by the hotel’s executive chef Josef Miklavc and The Fireplace’s sous chef Noel Bejasa complemented the exceptional dining experience.

Guests enjoyed cocktails of assorted canapés with Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2011. The wine tasting began when Stark introduced the series of Montes Alpha Chardonnay, including 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 vintages, complementing the fresh shucked oysters and seared scallops with tarragon dressing and lime sherbet with mint caviar. The combination of southern-bred Kitayama wagyu beef tenderloin and oven-roasted, herb-crusted lamb cutlet was perfectly paired with Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2009. Almond mango dacquois with coconut ice cream and a full-flavored selection of exquisite cheeses matched well with the Montes Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2008.

(For reservations, call The Fireplace at 245-1234 or visit manila.casino.hyatt.com.)